If the simple pot possession case against Willy Nelson is any measure, West Texas justice appears based on some fundamental differences from the rest of the country. While such minor charges are generally handled by mail, Hudspeth County’s judge Becky Dean-Walker has demanded that the star appear before her in her courtroom. Now, County Attorney Kit Bramblett is joining in on the fun with Nelson by offering a plea only if Nelson sings “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” for the court. I hate to be a cold blanket, but find this neither funny nor tolerable for a legal system. Both the judge and the prosecutor appear to be intoxicated by celebrity crime.
It is hard to believe that this story is true, but it is widely being reported. The combination of forcing an appearance on a minor charge and the demand to perform undermines the integrity of both the court system and the legal profession. It appears Hudspeth is the Texas variation of Chutzpah.
In the article below, Bramblett is quoted as saying “I’m gonna let him plead, pay a small fine and he’s gotta sing ‘Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain’ with his guitar right there in the courtroom.” He is further quoted saying “You bet you’re ass I ain’t gonna be mean to Willie Nelson.” Nice. For her part, Dean-Walker is insisting on seeing the celebrity in West Texas on a simple pot possession claim. Obviously, she will magnify the unprofessional appearance in the case if she were to accept a plea involving the performance for the pleasure of the prosecutor. This is an extension of the growing trend in abuse, improvised justice in the United States. For a prior column, click here. Nelson is not some dancing bear for the prosecutor to toy with — anymore than the other citizens abused by humiliating sentences.
If these facts are correct as widely reported, there should be an investigation by the bar of both the role of the prosecutor and the court. Dean-Walker can still redeem herself by treating Nelson like other defendants and sanctioning the prosecutor if he did in fact demand this condition for a settlement.
I am a big country music fan and I have always felt a twinge of guilty about liking Beer For My Horses, which seems to glorify hangings. (It hasn’t stopped me from putting it on my Ipod). This case seems to bear out his view of Texas justice:
Grandpappy told my pappy, back in my day, son
A man had to answer for the wicked that he done
Take all the rope in Texas
Find a tall oak tree, round up all of them bad boys
Hang them high in the street for all the people to see that
I have no problem if a prosecutor asks a singer to come to town and sing as a gesture but to combine this desire with a formal demand in a settlement shows incredibly poor judgment. I like Nelson’s music, but no prosecutor or judge should turn the legal system into performance art.
Source: Daily Mail
Jonathan Turley
What! This is absurd. But it also sounds amusing. Still!
This is, psychologically speakin’, the awakening of the lynching mentality that used to prevail in TX.
Hang’em high, Roy Bean!!!
Personally I don’t care for Country music, but I know a little something about Willie Nelson…
This man is a giant in his profession. Easily the equal of the Beatles or Elvis, it is difficult to even grasp the scope of his accomplishments and talent.
I still can’t get over “Crazy” by Patsy Cline.
The Supreme Court “invalidated an outright compulsion of speech” in West Virginia Bd. of Ed. v. Barnette, 319U.S.624(1943) affirmed in Johanns v. Livestock Marketing Association. 125S.Ct.2055(2005)
Blouise,
It’s one of just about every professional musician’s pet peeves. I view it as a combination of having the status of musician raised from just a craftsman to that of an artist and the propaganda many artists put out that their “art” comes directly from some muse other than themselves. If that’s the case, then our ability really is a gift from God. Understanding the inspiration is only a tiny bit of the equation in most instances never seems to get discussed.
I do charity work. Church gigs aren’t it.
Dean-Walker can still redeem herself by treating Nelson like other defendants and sanctioning the prosecutor if he did in fact demand this condition for a settlement.
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I’ve often heard of sanctioning mentioned on this blog but how often does it actually happen in real life?
Gyges
1, March 28, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Blouise,
My least favorite part of church gigs is the obligatory “Thank you for sharing God’s gift.” I always wonder if they thank the Janitor too.
================================================
Good god, yes … God’s gift, my eyebrow. Years of study, tons of money on teachers, coaches, instruments, music, camps, seminars, conservatories, hours and hours of practice … yeah, some gift.
Doctors and lawyers think they have it bad in social settings with all the “elbow squeezers” seeking free advice … they have noooo idea …
My favorite is … “Such a blessing, I’m sure you won’t mind sharing it with us.”
I’ve been known to get a bit testy leaving a dinner party with the parting shot …”Sorry, the food wasn’t that good.”
That’s when one can put the “prima donna” stance to good use.
Sorry … as you can tell this is one of my pet peeves.
rafflaw,
Thats called the down draft….I think I am qualified to say…yes it can be quite a high…especially when ….Now, what was I saying….I am getting hungry for some reason…
I object to the inclusion of churches into our criminal justice system. “Sentencing” people to attend church seems blatantly unconstitutional, especially if the alternative is incarceration. Not so much of a choice.
rafflaw,
“Woosty,
Both judge and the prosecutor are high on what Willie’s been smoking!”
If not, maybe they should be!
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BIL,
“In fact, I volunteer to stand in for AY on the rotation.”
I happily volunteer my services as well 😀
Woosty,
Both judge and the prosecutor are high on what Willie’s been smoking!
Both the judge and the prosecutor appear to be intoxicated by celebrity crime.
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I would write it thus;
Both the judge and the prosecutor appear to be intoxicated by celebrity, enough to commit a crime.
Blouise,
My least favorite part of church gigs is the obligatory “Thank you for sharing God’s gift.” I always wonder if they thank the Janitor too.
Singing for one’s supper is, sadly, no joke. The number of people who think this ability to perform is a god-given blessing to be freely shared are full of crap. Mr. Nelson should have his lawyers submit a contract to the court charging any amount he sees fit for the performance. Damn yokels.
Ones too many and a hundreds not enough… some choices have to be made….
SO here I am…
Dear Willie,
In re AY’s comment, I will not make that promise.
In fact, I volunteer to stand in for AY on the rotation.
I won’t subject him to peer pressure, but I don’t want that rotation out of whack either.
One lives to be of service.
Willie is done paying the IRS, which is bad news for the yokel judge and county attorney in this case. He can hire lawyers that are much better at their jobs than either of you. Were I Willie? You’d hear nary a note. And enjoy bar complaints being filed against you both.
Well, I promise never to smoke weed with Willie again…..or even on his ranch….Promise…. It does cause a fetal position….It is assured…
Now to the request…..Why the hell not….at least you know what it is….and by the way…..You don’t go insulting Miss. Langtry….Ole Judge Bean’s Ghost will come and haunt you……There is a law west of the Pecos that folks do not understand…..or even want to…
What if he refuses??
They going to send him to the big house,
where he’ll have to sing for his dinner?
Sounds to me like the prosecutor might be secretly, frequently fond of Willie Nelson…